by Kris Osborn, Warrior

(Washington DC) A South Korean defense firm is pioneering a first-of its kind hydrogen-powered “stealth” Main Battle Tank intended to propel tank warfare into further decades with greater off road mobility, fuel efficiency and reduced heat and acoustic signature.  Perhaps most significantly, the so-called Hyndai Rotem K3 incorporates an AI-enabled fire control system able to destroy targets at ranges out to 5 miles, according to an interesting essay on the tank by NextGenDefense. 

Stealth Tank 

The external configuration does appear quite different from current tanks as it is engineered with a smoother, blended turret-chassis configuration which appears less “jagged” and more horizontal than existing tanks as well. Perhaps most noticeable features on the tank are the clear absence of protruding, angled structures likely to generate a return rendering or signal to radar detection from adversaries. The somewhat flattened, blended chassis, somewhat surprisingly, resembles elements of the ultra-stealthy B-21.  The design does include a few antennas, which are rounded and potentially “stealthier” than the many protruding edges evident on modern tanks. There are also additional stealth properties likely woven into the platform which are not detectable by an observer’s eye. This would include something like rubbery radar absorbent materials, quieting technologies and methods of thermal management. Perhaps there are emerging technologies capable of reducing the heat signature of a tank, something which would make it much less detectable by infrared heat-detecting sensors.  A hydrogen powered propulsion system will of course generate much less “heat” than a standard engine, and the engine is also likely much quieter as well.  

K3 Weapons

The tank will be armed with a 130mm smoothbore gun, operate with an unmanned turret and carry anti-tank guided missiles as well. Not surprisingly, the tank operates with an under-armor remote weapons station able to integrate smaller arms from crew-served 50-Cal. up to 30mm, according to NextGenDefense.  

Available renderings of the tank also seem to reveal enhanced survivability features, as an unmanned turret and remote weapons station allows the entire 3-person crew to remain under armor during combat. There is no “ring” for a .50-cal gunner on top of the tank, instead the vehicle is completely covered with armor. This is extremely significant, given that tanks in Ukraine have been shown to be extremely vulnerable to “top-down” attacks. The front and sides of modern tanks are heavily armored, whereas the turret on most current tanks include a slip ring gunners post, something which increases the vulnerability of the tank to incoming fire from above. 

Future of Tanks 

There are many potential paradigm-changing elements to the K3, depending upon the effectiveness of its stealth properties and the quality of its AI-enabled command and control, fire control, sensor integration and networking.  An AI-capable system would of course greatly expedite sensor data processing and analytics, enabling the platform to detect, verify and destroy  enemy targets faster and more efficiently.  AI-enabled command and control in the K3 will also surely enable manned-unmanned teaming, for forward ground and air drones can deliver ammunition, conduct high-speed reconnaissance and even attack targets when directed by a human. 

The new tank will need to be faster and more mobile than most modern tanks, because while heavy armor is still critical to success taking and holding ground in war, the existing tanks often have mobility and deployability problems. They are often not fast enough to keep up with advancing and maneuvering dismounted soldiers and are at times too heavy to cross bridges or transit through more narrowly configured passageways. Nonetheless, the engineering of a new generation tank makes tactical sense for a number of reasons, perhaps the first of which being what Ukraine has shown in the realm of heavy armor and traditional combined arms. Despite the massive success of dismounted anti-armor weapons in the war in Ukraine, heavy armor and tanks in particular continue to prove effective at closing with an enemy mechanized formation to take and “hold” ground. 

Kris Osborn is the President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a highly qualified expert in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel.